WOODSTOCK — A 28,000-square-foot, $9.8 million memory care community that will exclusively care for residents with Alzheimer’s, dementia and memory impairment is planned for south Cherokee, developers announced this week.

The LaSalle Group announced its plan Thursday to build Autumn Leaves of Towne Lake at 1962 Eagle Drive in Woodstock. The community will be the second of its kind in metro Atlanta.

The facility is designed to provide a home-like environment that includes a family approach and expert care from staff with specialized training, the group said in making the announcement.

“We are excited about this opportunity to bring our expertise to families living with Alzheimer’s and dementia in Towne Lake,” said Brenda Brantley, chief financial officer of The LaSalle Group. “Towne Lake currently has no communities offering memory care, and we are going to fill that gap for families that need our services.”

The design team will use the latest Alzheimer’s and dementia research to ensure the community fits the needs of the residents.

From the color scheme to the type of furniture to the spacing of the lights to the layout of the building, everything is chosen with the residents in mind, she said.

Autumn Leaves of Towne Lake will also have its own culinary director who will prepare fresh food from scratch. A team consisting of a chef, a nutritionist, and a dietician will collaborate to create healthy and flavorful meals for the residents.

In addition, the community will have aquariums in the dining rooms, which according to scientific research, will create a calming effect and increase appetites — priorities for families living with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

“Cherokee County has experienced high growth, and with that comes a greater need for focused Alzheimer’s and dementia care,” said Ilde Robles, director of Georgia development, The LaSalle Group. “The county has been very helpful, and the county leaders understand the benefit we will bring to their area.”

Autumn Leaves of Towne Lake will also offer free programs to the public including seminars, support groups, memory testing, and free respite care for five hours on Wednesdays to give caregivers a break.

Autumn Leaves of Towne Lake is expected to open fourth quarter of 2013.

The LaSalle Group is based in Irving, Texas. For more information, call (214) 845-4500.

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